Pakistan

A blast kills six in northwestern Pakistan

A blast kills six in northwestern Pakistan

A powerful bomb explosion has killed at least six people and injured 10 others in Pakistan’s troubled northwestern tribal region, security sources say.

The causalities come after a bomber on a motorcycle attacked a pro-government tribal elder’s vehicle in in Hangu District of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Province on Monday.

Local officials say it was not immediately clear whether the elder, Malik Habibullah Khan, was among the dead. Medical sources said the death toll is expected to rise as most of the injured are reported to be in critical condition.

Local residents say the elder had played a major role in setting up the Lashkar (pro-government militia) to drive pro-Taliban militants out of the restive northwestern district and its adjacent areas. No group or person has yet claimed responsibility for the deadly attack.

However, Tehrik-e Taliban Pakistan (TTP) has claimed responsibility for similar attacks in the past, saying it targeted the leaders for guiding armed resistance against militant groups in the troubled region.

Heavily-armed militants have shot and killed several anti-Taliban militia chiefs across the lawless region in recent weeks.

Despite the Pakistani government’s operations against militants and terrorists, they are still able to spread their influence in various regions of the country.

Thousands of Pakistanis have lost their lives in bombings and other militant attacks since 2001, when Pakistan entered an alliance with the US in the so-called war on terror.

Thousands more have been displaced by the wave of violence and militancy sweeping across the country.

Back to top button